Paint Colors

Ficus Tree

Trimmed into a round shape, this tall tree adds an element of grandeur to the entry. In cooler regions, ficus trees are often kept indoors as houseplants, but they thrive outdoors in the warm California climate.

Roofline

A steeply pitched gable has the grand feel of Tudor-style architecture. The roofline allows for two shed dormers, which bump out from the roof, on the left. Their multipane design mimics the windows on the rest of the house.

Shingle Siding

The Hoffmans love the warm, weathered wood-shingle siding, even though it requires more upkeep than brick or stucco, since it's prone to mold and chipping paint. Northwoods single 9" staggered rough-split shakes in sterling gray, $2.50 per square foot, certainteed.com for stores

True Craftsman

Carrie and Eric Ancker bought their 1911 home a century after it was originally built, but you'd never know from its maintained exterior. "One of our first projects was swapping the front door," they say. "It captures the home's Craftsman style, but the color is a surprising twist."

Mailbox

With its rugged look and hand-wrought metalwork, this antique-finish mailbox, to the left of the door, stays true to the home’s Craftsman bungalow architecture. Harmon 17 1/8"-tall solid brass mailbox in burnished antique, $399, rejuvenation.com

Classic Colonial

Michele and Michael Downing purchased their 1923 home in 1999, but painted their front door a cool shade of cranberry a few years ago. "It looks classic, just like the house's Colonial style," they say.